for dear life

Idioms  

1. Also, for one's life. Desperately, urgently, so as to save one's life. For example, When the boat capsized, I hung on for dear life, or With the dogs chasing them they ran for their lives, or She wanted that vase but I saw it first and hung on to it for dear life. These expressions are sometimes hyperbolic (that is, one's life may not actually be in danger). The first dates from the mid-1800s, the variant from the first half of the 1600s. Also see for the life of one.

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Example Sentences

As Joshua’s jabs began poking through, a wobbly Paul pivoted to a new tactic: hanging on for dear life.

From The Wall Street Journal

White-collar workers are hanging onto their jobs for dear life, spooked by high-profile layoff announcements, the rise of AI and an unforgiving job market for the unemployed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now they are hanging onto their jobs for dear life, spooked by high-profile layoff announcements, the rise of artificial intelligence and an unforgiving job market for the unemployed.

From The Wall Street Journal

His white dress shirt screams for dear life as it struggles to maintain its integrity around his massive form.

From Literature

Amanjot had held her nerve, and the catch for dear life.

From BBC